West Indies must be gagging to board the flight home now. It has been a torrid tour: they haven't won, the weather has been poor and political discussions have again done plenty to overshadow their cricket. At least their last engagement is only 40 overs long; and the lottery of Twenty20 cricket perhaps provides their best chance of victory. They can take heart from their last T20 in England, in September 2011, when a far less experienced side than that which will line up at Trent Bridge beat the world champions in the format.

Like the ODI series, many people would start them as favourites because of the power of their hitters - West Indies have more guys that can clear the ropes than England. But they have to do some actual hitting in order to win and we saw little of their potential in the two one-day matches, when West Indies were quickly snuffed out by England's superb bowling attack.

It will be with the ball that England will look to put down a marker down, a few months out from the defence of their World Twenty20 crown in September. Jade Dernbach - whose pace and variations are best suited to T20 - could make an emotional appearance, less than a week after the death of his Surrey team-mate Tom Maynard. He held his nerve to win England the deciding T20I in Abu Dhabi in February and will look to push his case for inclusion in the other formats.

England's other issue is similar to that experienced at the start of the ODI series, in that Kevin Pietersen is absent. He will be a greater loss in T20 - leaving England without one player capable of regularly clearing the ropes; an essential facet of building a big T20 total. Alex Hales will come into the side and, as with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in the ODIs, England hope another new opening partnership can flourish between Hales and Craig Kieswetter. They have three more T20Is before their World T20 campaign begins - not a lot of playing time to get things right.

Form guide

England: WWLWLWest Indies: WLLWL

Players to watch

After making his England debut last August, Alex Hales has been built up as England's latest T20 specialist. He can certainly strike a long ball and now steps into the shoes of Pietersen after losing his place at opener to the same player in the UAE. He scored a half-century against West Indies at The Oval last September but has struggled for form this season and needs a score to cement his international credentials.

Kieron Pollard returns to Trent Bridge, the ground where he made a sparkling 47 from 25 balls last season as Somerset beat Nottinghamshire to reach the Friends Life t20 finals day. Pollard, who hit his first T20I half-century against Australia in March, looked in reasonable touch during his 41 in the second ODI at The Oval and, after Gayle, is West Indies' most dangerous hitter.

Stats and Trivia

In seven T20Is against England, West Indies have won five and lost two - the country they have beaten most often. They have never beaten New Zealand, Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe.

In the teams' last meeting, West Indies defended the second lowest total - 113 - in a T20 international. The lowest successfully defended score was made against West Indies: 105 by Zimbabwe at Port-of-Spain.

England will be without the second highest run-scorer in T20 internationals for the first time. Kevin Pietersen's 1,176 runs are only bettered by Brendan McCullum's 1,352.

Of those who have played over ten T20Is, Pietersen also has the third-highest average, at 37.93. Eoin Morgan's 40.06 is second, with Andrew Symonds' 48.14 topping the list.

Trent Bridge usually produces a belter for T20s, a hard, flat deck that will promote big hitting - exactly what West Indies need. The only caveat is the weather, which certainly affected the preparation of the Test match surface that proved slow and low with little movement on offer. Expect this pitch to play harder and quicker.

@jackiethepen on (June 24 2012, 07:04 AM GMT) Re "He did about Bell, who has been brought back into ODIs to save his blushes. Bell should have been at the top of the order 18 months ago!" - Someone else posted that Bell opened for Eng in ODIs 23 or 24 times and to be honest Bell had never really done it for Eng on any sort of consisitent basis before this series. For me Bell still has to continue to do what he does as does Cook and I'll be more convinced about the whole OD top order when we chase down a post 270 total with Bell,Cook,Trott and Bopara at the top.

Saeed
on June 24, 2012, 12:55 GMT

Alex, good pick ... but I think Lendl Simmons should play ahead of Andre Russell.
We can't have Gayle & Smith butting heads at the top of the order, they will try to outhit each other ... & that could be dangerous for the spectators.
1-Simmons, 2-Gayle, 3-Smith, 4-Samuels, 5-Bravo, 6-Pollard, 7-Ramdin, 8-Sammy, 9-Best, 10-Rampaul, 11-Narine.

John
on June 24, 2012, 12:55 GMT

@jackiethepen on (June 24 2012, 07:04 AM GMT), I have to take issue with your characterisation of England fans' reactions as being "panic". Pietersen is one of the best T20 batsmen in the world so of course the England team is weakened. Any team around the world would be weakened by the loss of such a player. If team is weakened then of course the fans are concerned. That doesn't mean panic though. England are still capable of winning without KP but I'm quite sure that they won't be favourites for the WT20, whether or not they would have been otherwise. Even if they don't though, it's only T20 so most England fans will be disappointed at most. As for calls regarding Shah to be selected, we've been hearing them since long before KP retired. I'm happy enough to see the players you mentioned. I'm not too sure about Bopara myself but they probably feel that they need some experience. If they lose they lose. They're young and they'll improve.

Gary
on June 24, 2012, 12:38 GMT

"leaving England without one player capable of regularly clearing the ropes" Surely this is a highly inaccurate statement? Eoin Morgan has shown time and time again he has just as much ability to clear the ropes as KP, if not more. If Morgan plays well, England win, full stop.

fasih
on June 24, 2012, 12:31 GMT

where is Woakes and Why there are Hales and Finn????you can see Hales current form in County Cricket.ONE OF THE WORST CRICKETER in County Cricket.Then they say there was no place for Tom Maynard

Nicholas
on June 24, 2012, 12:19 GMT

Ideal team: WI batsmen with Englands bowlers! I predict a close game... if WI big guns fire then I'm doubtful if this England batting line up can answer back. On the other hand, if England bowlers can deliver and get the big guns out cheaply, then England have a better chance. So 50:50 for me. @5wombats: looking forward to your post-match analysis as you'll get a good look at the players!

Randolph
on June 24, 2012, 9:33 GMT

Looking forward to seeing England get spanked around in this one. Will be a good pre-cursor for when Warner gets a hold on their pop gun attack.

Martin
on June 24, 2012, 8:25 GMT

Just because they play in some domestic league doesn't mean they are any good. England's T20i victory over India in India proves this. BTW the wombats will be at Trent Bridge today - look out for us!

Extras - 12. Fidel 13. Bishoo 14. Simmons 15. Ramdin 16. Delorn Johnson( Can be given a chance as he can provide a different angle with left arm pace bowling)

Read in Cricinfo that Darren Bravo can keep wickets. Maybe not in Tests but can surely do it in ODI's/T20's for team balance.

They will defenitely be a team to watxh out for in World T20 with this line up

Jackie
on June 24, 2012, 7:04 GMT

Strange that all the fans who have been rooting for Bairstow, Buttler, Hales, Kieswetter etc. now are in a panic that their t20 team isn't strong enough!! This is the team that Flower built. These young guns are his choices, over and above batsmen like Bell discarded in the summer when Lumb was preferred. Over and above batsmen like Taylor. Well stop making excuses. One could also ask, why is Bopara in this side? Shah is injured for all those who have been asking. But he has never been considered by Flower. This is nothing to do with scheduling. Flower has backed these tyros and backed Broad as captain. Well they have their chances. Let them perform. The situation with KP would have been avoided by a less intransigent coach. I hope Flower shows some character by changing his mind. He did about Bell, who has been brought back into ODIs to save his blushes. Bell should have been at the top of the order 18 months ago!

John
on June 24, 2012, 17:06 GMT

@jackiethepen on (June 24 2012, 07:04 AM GMT) Re "He did about Bell, who has been brought back into ODIs to save his blushes. Bell should have been at the top of the order 18 months ago!" - Someone else posted that Bell opened for Eng in ODIs 23 or 24 times and to be honest Bell had never really done it for Eng on any sort of consisitent basis before this series. For me Bell still has to continue to do what he does as does Cook and I'll be more convinced about the whole OD top order when we chase down a post 270 total with Bell,Cook,Trott and Bopara at the top.

Saeed
on June 24, 2012, 12:55 GMT

Alex, good pick ... but I think Lendl Simmons should play ahead of Andre Russell.
We can't have Gayle & Smith butting heads at the top of the order, they will try to outhit each other ... & that could be dangerous for the spectators.
1-Simmons, 2-Gayle, 3-Smith, 4-Samuels, 5-Bravo, 6-Pollard, 7-Ramdin, 8-Sammy, 9-Best, 10-Rampaul, 11-Narine.

John
on June 24, 2012, 12:55 GMT

@jackiethepen on (June 24 2012, 07:04 AM GMT), I have to take issue with your characterisation of England fans' reactions as being "panic". Pietersen is one of the best T20 batsmen in the world so of course the England team is weakened. Any team around the world would be weakened by the loss of such a player. If team is weakened then of course the fans are concerned. That doesn't mean panic though. England are still capable of winning without KP but I'm quite sure that they won't be favourites for the WT20, whether or not they would have been otherwise. Even if they don't though, it's only T20 so most England fans will be disappointed at most. As for calls regarding Shah to be selected, we've been hearing them since long before KP retired. I'm happy enough to see the players you mentioned. I'm not too sure about Bopara myself but they probably feel that they need some experience. If they lose they lose. They're young and they'll improve.

Gary
on June 24, 2012, 12:38 GMT

"leaving England without one player capable of regularly clearing the ropes" Surely this is a highly inaccurate statement? Eoin Morgan has shown time and time again he has just as much ability to clear the ropes as KP, if not more. If Morgan plays well, England win, full stop.

fasih
on June 24, 2012, 12:31 GMT

where is Woakes and Why there are Hales and Finn????you can see Hales current form in County Cricket.ONE OF THE WORST CRICKETER in County Cricket.Then they say there was no place for Tom Maynard

Nicholas
on June 24, 2012, 12:19 GMT

Ideal team: WI batsmen with Englands bowlers! I predict a close game... if WI big guns fire then I'm doubtful if this England batting line up can answer back. On the other hand, if England bowlers can deliver and get the big guns out cheaply, then England have a better chance. So 50:50 for me. @5wombats: looking forward to your post-match analysis as you'll get a good look at the players!

Randolph
on June 24, 2012, 9:33 GMT

Looking forward to seeing England get spanked around in this one. Will be a good pre-cursor for when Warner gets a hold on their pop gun attack.

Martin
on June 24, 2012, 8:25 GMT

Just because they play in some domestic league doesn't mean they are any good. England's T20i victory over India in India proves this. BTW the wombats will be at Trent Bridge today - look out for us!

Extras - 12. Fidel 13. Bishoo 14. Simmons 15. Ramdin 16. Delorn Johnson( Can be given a chance as he can provide a different angle with left arm pace bowling)

Read in Cricinfo that Darren Bravo can keep wickets. Maybe not in Tests but can surely do it in ODI's/T20's for team balance.

They will defenitely be a team to watxh out for in World T20 with this line up

Jackie
on June 24, 2012, 7:04 GMT

Strange that all the fans who have been rooting for Bairstow, Buttler, Hales, Kieswetter etc. now are in a panic that their t20 team isn't strong enough!! This is the team that Flower built. These young guns are his choices, over and above batsmen like Bell discarded in the summer when Lumb was preferred. Over and above batsmen like Taylor. Well stop making excuses. One could also ask, why is Bopara in this side? Shah is injured for all those who have been asking. But he has never been considered by Flower. This is nothing to do with scheduling. Flower has backed these tyros and backed Broad as captain. Well they have their chances. Let them perform. The situation with KP would have been avoided by a less intransigent coach. I hope Flower shows some character by changing his mind. He did about Bell, who has been brought back into ODIs to save his blushes. Bell should have been at the top of the order 18 months ago!

Ram
on June 24, 2012, 6:56 GMT

Well the squad on paper does not count anything. Last time WI beat Eng in T20, and they were no big names in the WI team then. It needs a collective effort to win matches. Hope WI can win this T20, something to take from this series

John
on June 24, 2012, 2:41 GMT

WI definitely look he goods on paper but then we said that before the ODIs too. There's not much doubt that England will have problems if they don't get Gayle early but WI have plenty more power hitters. A tight bowling performance is a must. Losing a player like KP would leave a hole in any team and there's noone available to England to fill his shoes alone. It's going to require several players to step up their game to pick up the slack. We haven't yet seen the best of Jos Buttler on the international stage so this would be a great time for that to happen. Bairstow and Hales will also need to take a share of KP's runs. I agree with JG on two points: Kieswetter really needs to get off strike with a single if he's not managing to get the boundaries away and I'm wondering whether Patel may be a better option than Bopara for T20. England may feel that Morgan is not a #3 but this T20 so traditional batting positions don't really matter.

Deepak
on June 24, 2012, 2:23 GMT

I don't know how England are the world's number one T20 team. Their current squad looks the worst among Top 8 teams.

Lakpriya
on June 24, 2012, 2:15 GMT

awesome T20 team from WI, at least on paper. it will be great if, WI can somehow start playing as a team and be consistent. then they will be a big force in the coming T20 WI cup.

Dummy4
on June 24, 2012, 2:05 GMT

Stats isn't quite right - WI have beaten NZ, but it was in a super over where Gayle hammered Vettori.

John
on June 24, 2012, 2:03 GMT

So this is the preview of the England/WI T20I, and the England player who is mentioned the most is..... KP! Note to Alex Winter: KP isn't playing, get over it.

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 21:44 GMT

A farewell victory will be nice. Looking forward to that victory. All the best WI!

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 17:47 GMT

Good Luck West Indies! You need it :)

John
on June 23, 2012, 17:40 GMT

On paper WI definitely have the better batting line up. Maybe England have the better bowling line up. From WI point of view , I'd be trying to fit Kevon Cooper into that side but not sure who in place of.Must be honest , on paper England don't look that great. I'm not overly convinced by our openers.Even as a Somerset fan I notice that with Craig if he's not hitting boundaries/sixes then he often seems to be getting bogged down. I know T20 is a faster pace than OD but I still wonder if maybe an opening pair of Cook and Davies may be better. Also wonder if Patel may be a better option than Bopara.I certainly think he's a better bowling option and on his home ground he may be a better batting option - in which case I'd play him at 6 and move everyone else up a place.Also wondering- esp if Jade is still affected by Tom's death -if we couldn't have tried Jimmy out although that kind of contradicts the resting players which I'm in favour of. Would just be nice to see how he does in T20

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 17:29 GMT

Hoping For A Gayle Thunderstorm!! Go Win Go..
Wishes From a Srilankan!!

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 17:29 GMT

Hoping For A Gayle Thunderstorm!! Go Win Go..
Wishes From a Srilankan!!

John
on June 23, 2012, 17:40 GMT

On paper WI definitely have the better batting line up. Maybe England have the better bowling line up. From WI point of view , I'd be trying to fit Kevon Cooper into that side but not sure who in place of.Must be honest , on paper England don't look that great. I'm not overly convinced by our openers.Even as a Somerset fan I notice that with Craig if he's not hitting boundaries/sixes then he often seems to be getting bogged down. I know T20 is a faster pace than OD but I still wonder if maybe an opening pair of Cook and Davies may be better. Also wonder if Patel may be a better option than Bopara.I certainly think he's a better bowling option and on his home ground he may be a better batting option - in which case I'd play him at 6 and move everyone else up a place.Also wondering- esp if Jade is still affected by Tom's death -if we couldn't have tried Jimmy out although that kind of contradicts the resting players which I'm in favour of. Would just be nice to see how he does in T20

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 17:47 GMT

Good Luck West Indies! You need it :)

Dummy4
on June 23, 2012, 21:44 GMT

A farewell victory will be nice. Looking forward to that victory. All the best WI!

John
on June 24, 2012, 2:03 GMT

So this is the preview of the England/WI T20I, and the England player who is mentioned the most is..... KP! Note to Alex Winter: KP isn't playing, get over it.

Dummy4
on June 24, 2012, 2:05 GMT

Stats isn't quite right - WI have beaten NZ, but it was in a super over where Gayle hammered Vettori.

Lakpriya
on June 24, 2012, 2:15 GMT

awesome T20 team from WI, at least on paper. it will be great if, WI can somehow start playing as a team and be consistent. then they will be a big force in the coming T20 WI cup.

Deepak
on June 24, 2012, 2:23 GMT

I don't know how England are the world's number one T20 team. Their current squad looks the worst among Top 8 teams.

John
on June 24, 2012, 2:41 GMT

WI definitely look he goods on paper but then we said that before the ODIs too. There's not much doubt that England will have problems if they don't get Gayle early but WI have plenty more power hitters. A tight bowling performance is a must. Losing a player like KP would leave a hole in any team and there's noone available to England to fill his shoes alone. It's going to require several players to step up their game to pick up the slack. We haven't yet seen the best of Jos Buttler on the international stage so this would be a great time for that to happen. Bairstow and Hales will also need to take a share of KP's runs. I agree with JG on two points: Kieswetter really needs to get off strike with a single if he's not managing to get the boundaries away and I'm wondering whether Patel may be a better option than Bopara for T20. England may feel that Morgan is not a #3 but this T20 so traditional batting positions don't really matter.

Ram
on June 24, 2012, 6:56 GMT

Well the squad on paper does not count anything. Last time WI beat Eng in T20, and they were no big names in the WI team then. It needs a collective effort to win matches. Hope WI can win this T20, something to take from this series

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